SIR - Mr Mcleod (Claims for Brexit are Dad's Army gone mad, Craven Herald letters, February 14) is once again dismissive of the views of other readers. However, despite the copious correspondence he has provided against Brexit, I cannot find one constructive suggestion as to how we resolve the issues that led to 52 per cent of the population voting to leave.

When I voted to join in 1975 it was out of economic necessity. The UK economy was in a downward spiral and the Cold War threat of Russia loomed large, the arguments of joining a Common Market ( as it was called then) and being aligned with the rest of Europe against Russia made sense to over 60 per cent of the population.

Nevertheless what I did not vote for was the progressive loss of sovereignty, the making of our laws in Brussels, the decimation of our fishing stocks and industry, nor the mass movement of East Europeans that would see net three million migrants in the 15 years since they joined in 2004. Why are they here? Because as Mr Mcleod cannot deny we are 'the soft touch' of Europe - with access to benefits and emergency housing, use of our free NHS, free education, and the 'import' of extended family, it is all too easy.

Mr Blair and Mr Blunkett allowed that when the rest of Europe at least delayed it for seven years. It pandered to big business wanting cheap labour and wider markets, It has always been about cheap labour and bigger markets for big business, from the days of slavery to the women and children of the Industrial Revolution through to the post-war Windrush influx.

Our Infrastructure cannot sustain freedom of movement but beyond that we have decided that in the long-term our defence policy and foreign policy cannot be dictated to us by Europe, our laws have to be based on our needs and our sense of justice. We must control our Agriculture and Fisheries and be free to trade with whom we wish. Let it go Mr Mcleod and get behind the democratic vote.you cherish.

Vince Smith

Millholme Rise

Embsay